Implementation of microfluidic components, including molecular fractionation devices, in a microfluidic system
First Claim
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1. A microfluidic system, comprising:
- a first microchannel formed in a substrate;
a first communication port coupling the first microchannel to a surface of the substrate; and
a capping module forming a chamber and having a matrix having an affinity for selected molecules disposed in the chamber and a trapping filter forming a sidewall of the chamber for compartmentalizing the matrix on the capping module, wherein the trapping filter includes a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to fluids and impermeable to the matrix, wherein the capping module is adapted to be stacked on the substrate and placed in communication with the first microchannel, the capping module further comprising a first connector port extending through the semipermeable membrane for placing the chamber in fluid communication with the first communication port, and a second connector port extending through the semipermeable membrane for connecting the chamber in fluid communication with a second communication port that couples a second microchannel to a surface of the substrate, thereby forming a fluid path between the first microchannel and the second microchannel.
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Abstract
A system and method for integrating microfluidic components in a microfluidic system enables the microfluidic system to perform a selected microfluidic function. A capping module includes a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate having microfluidic plumbing to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system. The microfluidic element may comprise a matrix having an affinity for selected molecules in a sample. The matrix binds, reacts with and/or retains the selected molecules without affecting other molecules in the sample.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A microfluidic system, comprising:
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a first microchannel formed in a substrate; a first communication port coupling the first microchannel to a surface of the substrate; and a capping module forming a chamber and having a matrix having an affinity for selected molecules disposed in the chamber and a trapping filter forming a sidewall of the chamber for compartmentalizing the matrix on the capping module, wherein the trapping filter includes a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to fluids and impermeable to the matrix, wherein the capping module is adapted to be stacked on the substrate and placed in communication with the first microchannel, the capping module further comprising a first connector port extending through the semipermeable membrane for placing the chamber in fluid communication with the first communication port, and a second connector port extending through the semipermeable membrane for connecting the chamber in fluid communication with a second communication port that couples a second microchannel to a surface of the substrate, thereby forming a fluid path between the first microchannel and the second microchannel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A capping module for a microfluidic system, comprising:
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a substrate forming a recess; a matrix disposed in the recess on the substrate, the matrix having an affinity for selected molecules, a trapping filter, including a semipermeable membrane, covering the recess to form a chamber for compartmentalizing the matrix on the substrates, a first connector port extending through the semipermeable membrane for placing the chamber in communication with a first microchannel, a second connector port for placing the chamber in communication with a second microchannel, a third connector port for placing the chamber in communication with a third microchannel, and a fourth connector port for placing the chamber in communication with a fourth microchannel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A molecular fractionation device for a microfluidic system, comprising:
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a capping module comprising a substrate defining a region for holding a matrix, a trapping filter for compartmentalizing a matrix on the substrate; a first connector port for placing the region for holding a matrix in fluid communication with an exterior of the substrate and a first microchannel, wherein the trapping filter covers the connector port, and the first connector port includes a valve for selectively blocking flow through the first connector port, a second connector port for placing the region for holding the matrix in communication with a second microchannel, including a valve for selectively blocking flow through the second connector port, a third connector port for placing the region for holding the matrix in communication with a third microchannel, including a valve for selectively blocking flow through the third connector port, and a fourth connector port for placing the region for holding the matrix in communication with a fourth microchannel, including a valve for selectively blocking flow through the fourth connector port. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A microfluidic system, comprising:
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a first channel for conveying a sample; and a plurality of molecular fractionation devices coupled to the channel and arranged in series, such that a first outlet of a first molecular fractionation device is in communication with a first inlet of a second molecular fractionation device, wherein each molecular fractionation device includes a matrix having an affinity for a selected set of molecules, wherein the matrix is disposed in a chamber having a sidewall defined by a trapping filter including a semipermeable membrane. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A molecular fractionation device, comprising
capping module having a chamber for holding a matrix having an affinity for selected molecules, a trapping filter including a semipermeable membrane for compartmentalizing the matrix in the chamber, a first connector port for placing the chamber in communication with a first microchannel, a second connector port for placing the chamber in communication with a second microchannel, a third connector port for placing the chamber in communication with a third microchannel, a fourth connector port for placing the chamber in communication with a fourth microchannel, and at least one valve for selectively blocking fluid flow through one of said connector ports.
Specification